March 28, 2024

Enrollment for Scouting Opens Across Southeastern New England Scouting is now available to boys and girls

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Rhode Island— The Narragansett Council, Boy Scouts of America is welcoming new boys and girls into Scouting across Southeastern New England this fall with a social media campaign that highlights the benefits of Scouting, the adventures it entails and its recent decision to welcome girls. Over 9,700 youth from across the region participated in Scouting last year – a four percent increase from the previous year.

In Scouting, youth are challenged to earn advancements that require hard work and dedication in mastering a skill – such as first aid, citizenship and architecture. Units participate in activities such as camping trips, derby races and field trips. Scouts are also given the chance to serve their communities in events such as Scouting for Food, the annual food drive where Scouts collected over 215,000 pounds of food for the Rhode Island food bank last year.

“Each fall, we encourage youth to join Scouting to build strong character, learn life lessons
and create lasting memories and friendships,” said Tim McCandless, Scout Executive/CEO of the Narragansett Council. “Scouting instills the skills needed to succeed in life, and the values needed to be a good citizen. We’re thrilled to be able to welcome boys and girls across Rhode Island into our program.”

This year marks the first round of enrollment time that girls in grades K-5 can join Cub Scouting. Since the Boy Scouts of America first decided to welcome girls into the program, 72 girls have joined units across the Narragansett Council. So far, 14 have already enrolled during this recruitment season. Girls ages 11-18 will be able to enroll starting in February.

“The decision to welcome girls into Scouting was made to enable working families with sons and daughters to participate in one single program with ease. Many sisters were participating alongside their Scout brothers prior to this official announcement. We’re excited to see how our Council grows and how young lives are impacted due to this,” said McCandless.

Scout troops generally meet weekly, and new Cub Scouts can start working toward their first award – the Bobcat merit badge – within weeks. The badge is earned through learning the core values of Scouting. The first Scouting event for newly enrolled Scouts is the Superhero Academy on Saturday, October 13, where Cub Scouts can participate in archery, boating, crafts, games, and more.

Parents can learn more and register their child at beascout.org.

About the Narragansett Council: The Narragansett Council, Boy Scouts of America’s mission is to serve others by helping to instill values in young people and, in other ways, prepare them to make ethical choices over their lifetime in achieving their full potential. The Narragansett Council’s research-backed, youth development programs are for boys and girls ages 6 to 20 through Cub Scouts, Scouts BSA, Venturing and Exploring. The council serves nearly 14,000 youth in Rhode Island, Southeastern Massachusetts, and Pawcatuck, Connecticut. People can learn about Scouting programs and find groups near them at www.BeAScout.org. For more information, please log on to www.narragansettbsa.org.

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